Southampton have reportedly joined Real Betis in the race for Monaco striker Valere Germain.

The Saints are keen to reinforce their attacking options in the current transfer window after allowing Italy international Graziano Pelle to join Shandong Luneng for a fee believed to be around £12million.

New manager Claude Puel was handed a boost when Shane Long put pen-to-paper on a new four-year contract on Friday and the Irishman could soon have a strike partner at St Mary’s.

Monaco’s Germain is said to be top of the wishlist and his arrival would see him reunited with the Southampton manager, having worked together when on loan at Nice last season.

The former France Under-21 international managed to score 14 goals in 38 appearances and was one of the star performers for the club that finished fourth in Ligue 1.

Germain could be available for around £6m and this amount would be no issue for the English side, who sold Sadio Mane to Liverpool for over £30m and Victor Wanyama to Tottenham for £11m.